Residents' opinions on state cuts heard

Sunday

Florida lawmakers aren't likely to ask East Polk County residents what they would do to close a state budget gap between revenue and spending, but if they did, they'd get a variety of opinions.

Florida lawmakers aren't likely to ask East Polk County residents what they would do to close a state budget gap between revenue and spending, but if they did, they'd get a variety of opinions.

While state leaders dicker over a new date for an emergency budget special session of the Legislature, area residents were asked Saturday what they would do to make up for the state's $1 billion revenue shortfall.

Options discussed in Tallahassee include cutting spending on state programs, dipping into state emergency funds, moving up the start of some state projects to boost the economy, raising taxes or a combination of all the options.

"We should never raise taxes," said Kevin Tobin, a resident of Winter Haven. "It doesn't work. Where has it ever gotten us?"

The state Legislature was supposed to meet in special session in mid-September to address the budget problems, but last week, House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt postponed the session indefinitely.

In a letter to fellow lawmakers, Rubio and Pruitt wrote that "the temporary revenue shortfalls we are experiencing are not at a level that has triggered constitutionally-mandated budget reductions; nevertheless, we believe that it is prudent and fiscally responsible to appropriately reduce state government spending given the current financial outlook."

"You don't want to cut education" said Jeanne Wallin, a retail employee from Haines City. "You also don't want to raise taxes. I'd like to see a cut in the spending on things we really don't need. Maybe government officials should stop charging lunches to the city."

Christine Hutchinson of Auburndale said she would hate to see Gov. Charlie Crist cut into state programs, but she admitted she also would be concerned to see taxes get any higher.

"A lot of people like me can't afford to pay much more," Hutchinson said.

Auburndale businessman Bobbie Gildan said he would cut back on programs.

"We need to give up something to get ahead," Gildan said. "I also don't think we need to spend so much of our tax dollars on inflated government salaries. They could take a reduction and not even feel it."

Ruth Patterson of Winter Haven is particularly sensitive to the idea of any kind of educational cuts. She was a teacher in Wisconsin for more than 12 years.

"I don't want to see our colleges or education system see cuts," Patterson said. "I'd rather raise taxes than take the opportunity for learning away."

Mitch Howard, a retired restaurant owner who lives in Lake Wales, believes the people have no control over the outcome of a budget special session.

"They'll do what they want, but I'd like to see our government find a way to generate funds so nobody pays with higher taxes or program cuts," Howard said.

Edward Parker of Winter Haven wants to see budget cuts in the state's prison system.

"We spend too much of our tax money building more and more prisons," Parker said. "I say let them (prisoners) live in tents so we don't put our money toward criminals."

"We're paying it anyways," Hamdan said. "We won't feel it. We shouldn't cut back on programs that we need."

A Haines City husband and wife agreed they'd rather pay higher taxes than see cuts in state-funded programs.

"I have four kids between the ages of 3 and 12," Marie Sanchez said. "We need programs for education and helping our teens."

Jorge Sanchez has another reason for wanting to preserve educational programs.

"I'd gladly pay higher taxes before wanting to see the kind of cuts Crist is proposing," the husband said. "I was the first one in my family to get a college degree, mostly due to state programs that helped me to realize my dream. If they take away those things, they take away people's hope. Then what do we have?"

diane.nichols@newschief.com

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